The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-01
THE CITY SCHOOLS.


THE CITY SCHOOLS.
The schools OF the people closed
their year last night by commence
ment exercises at the Theater that |
were credit to the Graduates and to |
the teachers. The system Of eiucs-
ton by which these young girls
have been able to reach so excel
lent measure Of attainment is one
that years OF experience and good re-
suits have commended to the super
intendent and the teachers. II Was
that system that enabled young Nc
Cram to distance all his competitors
for place In the Naval Academy, and
y5ung Wilson for a place in the
Military Academy. Well grounded
in mathematics, in grammar, in spell
ing and the definition Of words, In
geography and the construction of
sentences, they possessed the keys to
ali possible knowledge within the
range Of the English language. They
carried with them power that was
felt in sll it's strength when they con-
fronted the examiners Of the two great
national schools. who are not respect
ors OF persons. In the public schools
there ia no iustisn or furbelow, no
garish accomplishment that makes
the child pert and smart, hu! as Ger.
tainly brings ii to humiliation when
confronted with the honest realities
OF life. 1t is this that cOmmends the
public schools TO the sdmiIatio and
support OF The people. Their
purpose is as real aud devoid
OF sham, nonsense and claptrap
rs the purpose OF the people
is made earnest by the competition
and demands OF life. Scholarship in
the child as In the man or woman
means a knowledge Of the road to
higher knowledge. A boy or girl well
drilled in spelling, in root words and
their derivatives, IN grammar, in read
ing, in geography, in writing by dicta-
tation, and in mathematics, can In
time unlock any door to knowledge
within thereaCh OF English speaking
men or women. The boy or girl that
is not so we'll drilled Is weak and is
likely TO remain weak all OF his or her
life. As the twig is bent the trees in
elined. The child must BIS bent to all
the strong things there are In educs-
tiOn il It's life Is TO be useful one 10 IL
self and those about 1t. The strong
est men and women today before the
county are those who have been
thoroughly grounded in these essen
tials to q sound, healthy and safe.di-
reCting education. 1t is.to make such
strong men and women that the pub
lie schools Of Memphis are maintain
cd. II 10 to make practical men and
women and at them for the battle OF
life; 10 make them strong enough to
meet all the demands OF busy ca
reer, TO Withstand with fine mental
balance and strong moral feeling all
the ills and SORROWS Of life this is the
aim Of the teachers Of
eur public schools by the
methodlcal enforcement OF system
that commends itself more and NOR,
by results. The intelligence OF Amer
leans is the best evidence OF the value
Of our system Of government, one ol
this principal provisions OF which ID
public education. An alert and brigh,
intelligence is the distinguishing and
coveted possession Of Americans by
contrast with Europeans. 1t is thu
intelligence developed by the public
schools, These are the foundation
upon which the Republic rests secure
ly-upon the consent Of intelligsn
citiaens who know the value and ap
preclate all the blessings of the great
est country on the earth, To be edu
Gated 10 to be free to think for one
Bslf-the men and women who ca
think for themselves can never be th
tools OF demagogues, can never b
robbed OF their liberties or be curtaile
Of their inalienable rights, especial
OF the dearest OF all human rights, Il
right OF private judgment.